Meet experts who can take out the mystery of paying for college

Parents and students from across Prince William County are invited to attend one of several upcoming events on “Paying for College.”

Paying for College, A Financial Aid Overview
• Wednesday, October 17, 6:30-8 p.m., Hylton High School, 14051 Spriggs Rd., Woodbridge;
• Wednesday, November 14, 6:30-8 p.m., Potomac High School, 3401 Panther Pride Dr, Dumfries.

Paying for College, Hands-On Help Session
• Thursday, October 18, 6-8 p.m., Patriot High School, 10504 Kettle Run Rd, Nokesville;
• Tuesday, October 30, 6-8 p.m., Colgan High School, 13833 Dumfries Rd., Manassas; and
• Thursday, November 29, 6-8 p.m., Freedom High School, 15201 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge.

To attend one or more event, parents and students must register for the event(s) they are attending.

Assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, will be provided to new as well as returning college students. The FAFSA is the form used by colleges, universities, and career-technical schools across the country to determine eligibility for student federal financial aid.

Prior to attending, students and their parents are advised to request a FAFSA identification number electronically at https://fsaid.ed.gov  Pare.nts and students should get their own FAFSA ID, advises a news release from PWC Schools.

Students/parents should bring the following documents to the event:

• FAFSA ID. Students and parents can apply for a FSA ID at https://fsaid.ed.gov
• Social Security number
• Driver’s license (if available)
• Tax records.  On the 2018-19 FAFSA, applicants will report 2016 income information rather than 2017 income information.
• Records of untaxed income such as child support received, interest income, veterans non-education benefits. On the 2018-19 FAFSA, applicants will report 2016 tax or calendar year information.
• Records of all assets including savings and checking account balances, and investments such as stocks and bonds and real estate. Applicants will report current amounts as of the date the FAFSA is signed.
• List of schools the student is interested in attending
• Alien registration card (if not a U.S. citizen)